Packaging for food products

ABSTRACT

Packaging for facilitating microwave heating arranged to contain a food product up to a fill level within the packaging. The packaging includes a first metallic microwave active component, extending above and below the fill level. The first metallic microwave active component has portions arranged below the fill level and above a base level which allow for a microwave heating of the food contained in the packaging between the fill level and the base level.

CROSS-REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATIONS

The present application is a U.S. continuation of U.S. patentapplication Ser. No. 12/226,006 filed on Jul. 20, 2009, which is a U.S.National Stage of International Patent Application No. PCT/GB2007/001217filed Apr. 2, 2007 which published as WO 2007/113545 on Oct. 11, 2007,and claims priority under 35 USC §119 of Great Britain PatentApplication No. 0606676.5 filed Apr. 3, 2006. The disclosure of U.S.patent application Ser. No. 12/226,006 is hereby expressly incorporatedby reference in its entirety.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

1. Field of the Invention

The present invention concerns packaging for a food product,specifically, packaging for a food product that can be heated in amicrowave. The invention also concerns a method for making thepackaging, a method for packaging a food product, and food productspackaged using the packaging and methods of the invention.

In particular, the present invention concerns packaging for soups, mealsand meal components that can be heated in the microwave.

2. Discussion of Background Information

Changes in work patterns and lifestyles in modern societies have poweredthe demand by consumers for foods that provide convenience and quality.The growth in frozen, chilled and ambient stable ready meals, mealcomponents and convenience foods, which can be re-heated rapidly inmicrowave ovens, has gone part of the way towards meeting these demands.Microwaves offer the advantage over conventional heating methods ofsignificantly reduced heating times. However, the variability in qualityof foods re-heated or cooked in a microwave remains a key obstacle inthe way of the wider appeal of these types of foods.

Specifically, the advantages of microwave ovens are often negated by thefact that when using standard board or plastic packaging the resultsfrom heating in microwaves are often less than satisfactory. The heatingof the food is often uneven, parts of the product being inadequatelyheated while other parts, in particular the edges of the product, beingoverheated. Water within the heated area starts to boil. Where a filmover the product is used, the moisture is caught and eventuallycondenses on the product surface making it impossible to obtainbrowning. Where the film is removed during heating, the moisture is lostand the product is dried out. This results in a lower quality product.

Various approaches have been used over the years to overcome theseproblems. At the heart of these approaches has been the use of patchesof metal film integrated into what might be termed “microwave inertpackaging”, for example into board and plastics etc. Metal films (e.g.commercially available aluminium foil of thickness >7 μm) reflectmicrowaves almost totally. These types of films can be used in designpatches of varying complexities to modify local electric field patternsand/or partly or fully shield parts of the product from being subjectedto microwaves.

Attempts at using metallised packaging to modify and control the heatingof foods in microwave ovens dates almost as far back as the use ofmicrowaves to heat foods. However, these attempts have met with onlylimited success, partly because they have been empirically based andpartly because of the widespread belief that the use of metallicpackaging can be detrimental to the functioning of microwave appliancesand may be unsafe.

This is particularly a problem with wet foods, which often have highmicrowave absorption and low microwave penetration (transparency tomicrowaves) characteristics. For microwaveable soup products, forexample, the re-heating performance of current single serve soupproducts on the market is variable. Re-heating of these products tendsto be non-uniform and for some variants may also be accompanied bystrong sputtering at the top of the product and bumping at the base ofthe cup which occasionally leads to toppling of the cup Infrared thermalimages taken during the re-heating of one example of this product in a700 W microwave oven shows strong heating around the base and top of theproduct (see FIGS. 1 a and 1 b). Moreover, the heating tends to beconcentrated on the outer layers of the product because of theinherently high dielectric loss properties of soups. Therefore, someareas of the product/packaging may become overheated during microwaveheating and as a result there is a risk of burning from handling orconsuming the heated product.

To address these problems manufacturers often include instructions forthe consumer to introduce “stand times” both during and after productheating, before consumption. It is commonly believed that during theseperiods heat spreads by conduction from overheated areas to cooler ones.However, this spread of heat by conduction is slow and not efficient,and extends the overall time required for product heating.

Previous attempts to provide solutions to the problems of microwaveheating have been disclosed in U.S. Pat. No. 4,013,798, U.S. Pat. No.4,268,738, U.S. Pat. No. 4,656,325, U.S. Pat. No. 4,990,735, U.S. Pat.No. 5,117,078, U.S. Pat. No. 5,593,610, U.S. Pat. No. 6,102,281 and U.S.Pat. No. 6,204,492, but have met with limited success.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

The present invention aims to overcome the disadvantages of the priorart packaging, and in particular to provide an improved packaging for afood product, which allows the food product to be heated in thepackaging in a microwave to produce a suitably heated/cooked product.

In particular, the present invention aims to:

(i) eliminate the strong ring like heating pattern at the base of theproduct;

(ii) introduce a more even heating pattern at the base of the product;

(iii) eliminate the strong ring like heating pattern at the top of theproduct;

(iv) introduce a more even heating pattern and slower heating rates atthe top of the product;

(v) introduce heating patterns in the vertical direction in liquidproducts, such as soups, which enhances the uniformity of the directheating and induced natural convection flows to further improve theuniformity of heating;

(vi) reduce overheating of the packaging;

(vii) introduce time variable heating patterns which induce intermittentlocalised heating and reduce the risks of sputtering, bumping andboiling with liquid products, and inappropriate burning and/or browningwith solid products;

(viii) create consistency between the results of heating the sameproduct in different microwave ovens; and

(ix) increase the efficiency of microwave heating such that heatingtimes are reduced.

The inventors have now developed computer models to simulate theinteractions of the food product in a microwave oven with themicrowaves. In particular, the models can be used to simulate theinteractions of a cup of soup in a microwave oven with the microwave(electric) field as the cup rotates in the cavity of a (PanasonicGenius) microwave oven. The results of the simulations (see FIG. 2) showsimilar characteristic coupled power density profiles to the temperatureprofiles observed by infrared thermal imaging in the early stages of there-heating of the soup. The microwave power coupled into the soup is inexcess of two orders of magnitude higher around the rings at the top andbase than at the core of the product, which clearly leads to sputteringat the top and is the initiating cause of bumping at the base. Inachieving the above aims the present invention provides a packaging forfacilitating microwave heating arranged to contain a food product up toa fill level within the packaging, which packaging comprises:

a) a first metallic microwave active component, extending above andbelow the fill level; and optionally

b) a second metallic microwave active component, extending above andbelow a base level.

According to one aspect of the invention the first microwave activecomponent extends at least 6 mm above the fill level and/or the secondmicrowave active component extends at least 6 mm above the base level.More preferably the first microwave active component extends between 6mm and 18 mm above the fill level and/or the second microwave activecomponent extends between 6 mm and 18 mm above the base level.

Preferable the first microwave active component is not part of any lidor cover. If the microwave active component is part of the lid or coverin some cases it is possible for the lid and therefore the component tobe incorrectly positioned with respect to the food product.

In a preferred aspect of the invention the one or more edges of thefirst microwave active component above and/or below the fill level aresubstantially straight and/or one or more edges of the second microwaveactive component above and/or below the base level are substantiallystraight. More preferably the one or more edges of the microwave activecomponent above and/or below the fill level are shaped and/or one ormore edges of the second microwave active component above and/or belowthe base level and shaped. In particular the shaped edges are preferablyundulating. In one arrangement according to the present invention thesecond microwave active component in extending below the base levelextends along at least a portion of the bottom of the packaging. Inparticular, the second microwave active component extends from 5 mm to25 mm along the bottom.

In an alternative arrangement, the packaging for microwave heatingfurther comprises a plinth, which encloses a cavity below the base levelof the packaging, and the second microwave active component in extendingbelow the base level extends downwards along the plinth. Preferably theplinth is at least 6 mm high.

In a preferred aspect of the present invention the first and secondmetallic microwave active components are joined to form a singlecomponent. Further the single component may contain a plurality ofwindows, the windows being defined by one or more holes in thecomponent.

In a specific aspect of the present invention, the packaging contains aplurality of windows whose dimensions and locations are adapted so as tobe suitable for microwave heating a liquid food product, in particular,a single serve soup wherein the packaging comprises a cup with a lid. Inthis embodiment the cup is 80 to 110 cm in height with a maximumdiameter of 80 to 100 cm. However, these dimensions are by no meanslimiting and the invention may be applied to any container size. Ingeneral the functionality stems from inter alia the specific heights ofthe active components below and above fill levels, the height of theplinth, the height above base level etc rather than the dimensions ofthe vessel itself.

In one embodiment of the present invention, the packaging is in the formof a cradle, capable of being placed around a microwave inert containerthat contains the food product. Preferably the packaging in the form ofa cradle is reusable. Accordingly, the present invention also covers theuse of such a cradle to heat a food product in a microwave.

In a specific aspect of the packaging according to the present inventionthe first and/or second metallic microwave active components comprise ametal film or foil. Preferably the metal film or foil is an aluminium orcopper film or foil. More preferably the aluminium film or foil is atleast 1 μm thick and the copper film or foil is at least 0.6 μm thick.Any thickness of aluminium above 1 μm is equally effective at shieldingthe product in the manner required by the present invention andtherefore the maximum thickness of the sheet is only limited above thisvalue by the cost. Similarly to the aluminium film, any thickness ofcopper above 0.6 μm is effective at shielding the product in the mannerrequired by the present invention.

Further the present invention provides a method of manufacturing apackaging for facilitating microwave heating for a food product, whichmethod comprises the steps of:

(a) laminating or depositing a metallic microwave active component ontoa support to produce a metallised element; and

(b) forming a packaging as described above from the metallised element.

In a preferred aspect of the present invention the metallised element isincorporated into the packaging by in-mould labelling. More preferably,it is incorporated into the packaging by barrier in-mould labelling.

In one embodiment the metallised element is a collar or a label to beplaced around the packaging. In this embodiment the label may be anadhesive label.

Alternatively, the metallised element is a holder for the food containeror packaging (in the manner of a coffer cup holder).

In a further embodiment the invention provides a packaged food productcomprising a food product packaged up to the fill level in the packagingfor facilitating microwave heating as defined above.

Still further, the present invention provides a method for packaging afood product comprising the steps of:

(a) filling a packaging for facilitating microwave heating as definedabove; and

(b) sealing the packaging to package the food product.

In addition the present invention provides for the use of a packagingfor microwave heating as described above to heat a food product in amicrowave, wherein the food product is present in the packaging up tothe fill line.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

The present invention will now be described in more detail by way ofexamples only with reference to the following Figures, in which,

FIG. 1 a shows a snapshot infrared thermal image showing the heatingpattern in a single serve soup of the prior art;

FIG. 1 b shows a snapshot infrared thermal image showing the heatingpattern in a single serve soup of the prior art that has been toppled bythe heating process;

FIG. 2 shows a coupled power density profile in a plane through the bodyof a single serve soup of the prior art, during re-heating;

FIGS. 3 a and 3 b show sample outline designs for the metallised patternof the microwave active components in two embodiment of the presentinvention, for use as stick-on labels for the cup packaging of singleserve soups;

FIGS. 4 a and 4 b shows an example of the cup design, which is toincorporate the stick-on labels of FIGS. 3 a and 3 b in an embodiment ofthe invention;

FIG. 5 shows a snapshot infrared thermal image showing the heatingpattern in a cup of single serve soup which incorporates a microwaveactive component according to the present invention;

FIG. 6 shows a packaging schematically with first and second microwaveactive components shown in cross-section arranged on an outside of thepackaging; and

FIG. 7 shows a top view of the packaging of FIG. 6.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

The present invention provides a packaging for microwave heatingarranged to contain a food product up to a fill level within thepackaging, which packaging comprises a metallic microwave activecomponent, wherein at least a first portion of the microwave activecomponent extends above the fill level.

The fill line or fill level of a packaging is the level at the side ofthe packaging that the food product is to be filled to (effectively themaximum level or the target level for filling). For liquid products theproduct in the package will generally all be at the same height—the filllevel—although there may be a small variation as a result of ameniscus—(this variation is well understood by those skilled in thefield). For solid products, however, the top layer of the productalthough being at the same height as the fill level at the points ofcontact with the packaging may be higher or lower than the fill levelaway from the side of the packaging i.e. the surface of the product maybe convex or concave.

The base level of a packaging is the lowest level at which the foodproduct is situated. Where the packaging does not comprise a plinth thebase level may also be defined by the bottom of the packaging. However,where the packaging comprises a plinth, the base level will be raised bythe plinth above the bottom of the packaging.

As described above, the edges of the first and second microwave activecomponents both above and/or below the base level and fill level may besubstantially straight or shaped. In the present context straight meansnot deviating i.e. remaining substantially equidistant from the fill orbase level. A substantially straight edge of the first microwave activecomponent can be parallel with the fill level and/or the upper edge ofthe packaging. A substantially straight edge of the second microwaveactive component can be parallel with the base level and/or the bottomof the packaging.

These edges may also be shaped i.e. not straight. A shaped edge can bein an irregular pattern in which the movement of the edge up and down israndom. Preferably, however, the shaped edge is regular and maytherefore be in the form of waves. These may not necessarily becurvilinear and can be in any form provided that there are no sharppoints (to prevent arcing). Preferably they are curvilinear, rising andfalling in the manner of a sine wave. In particular, the shaped edgesare undulating, presenting a waved appearance, rising and falling in acontinuous manner. For an undulating edge, the lowest point of the edgeshould preferably be above the fill level. Preferably, the lowest pointof the edge is at least 6 mm above the fill level and the highest pointis 18 mm above the fill level. More preferably the undulation forms acontinuous (non-ending) wave around the packaging.

In particular the microwave active component comprises metallic surfaceswhich are highly electrically conductive, and of a suitable thicknesswhich preferably perfectly or near perfectly reflect the electromagneticwaves of the microwave oven. The metal employed is not especiallylimited provided that it has this function. Preferably these metallicsurfaces are either:

1. Thin metal foil, preferably copper or aluminium foil of thickness≧0.6 μm (because of their respective effective electrical conductivity,that of copper being higher than that of aluminium, the minimumthickness is 0.6 μm for cooper and 1 μm for aluminium); and/or

2. Patterns of thin copper (metal) film, of thickness ≧0.6 μm, depositedonto a supporting polymer film or substrate through a metal depositionprocess (QinetiQ™ Metal Printing Process developed to produce RadioFrequency Identification Devices (RFID)).

These metallic surfaces provide the required functionality, in that theyare able to perfectly or near perfectly reflect electromagnetic waves(microwaves) and are compatible with microwaves. Accordingly, they arecapable of influencing electric field patterns to which the food productis exposed when the food product is subject to microwave heating.

The metallic sheet is shaped in a particular pattern, required toachieve the desired functionality and produce the target improvements inmicrowave re-heating quality. In a preferred embodiment of the inventionthese surface patterns are used in combination with shielding and aplinth within the packaging.

In particular in the prior art it is accepted practice to include ametallized layer within the packaging that is at or below the maximumlevel of the food. It is thought that extending the edge of themetallized layer above this point will result in burning of thepackaging, and an unattractive product appearance. However, the presentinventors have discovered that advantageous effects result when themetallic sheet in the packaging suitable for microwave heating extendsabove the level of the food product.

This creates a more even heating pattern and slower and more even ratesof heating at the top of the product and eliminates the strong ring likeheating pattern at the top of the product. In particular, the microwavescan be more randomly scattered across the surface of the food product,giving a greater likelihood of covering the surface of the food in themiddle of the product, if the top edge of the metallic sheet is shapedso as to be undulating.

Further, if the surface of the food can be made rough, this aids evenheating.

An additional effect can be created at the bottom of the product byusing a plinth or extending the metallic sheet down at least a part ofone or more sides of the packaging and along at least a portion of abase of the packaging. In particular, if a plinth is used the turntableand the sides of the plinth form a reflective box which will partiallyreflect the microwaves back into the product, creating more even heatingaround the base of the product.

Further, the metallic sheet can include windows, positioned in the sidesof the packaging for microwave heating. Windows are preferably used whenthe packaging for microwave heating is a pot. Where the packaging is atray, windows are preferably not used. In the present context, thedistinction between a pot (which is a tall vessel, that may berectangular or round); and a tray (a vessel short in height, that may beround or rectangular), is derived from the ratio of the height of thevessel (from the base level to the top edge) to the shortest distancefrom any side of the vessel to its center. If the ratio is >1 then thevessel is defined as a pot and preferably requires side window for moreeven microwave heating. If the ratio is ≧1 then the vessel is defined asa tray and would not necessarily require side windows to effect moveeven microwave heating.

Where windows are provided, these allow microwaves through the metallicsheet, whereas the bands block them. The present inventors havediscovered that the windows allow heating in particular areas of thefood product, such that some areas become hotter than others. Where theproduct is a liquid product, such as a soup, this leads to heat transferby convention within the product, forcing the heat to move to coolerparts of the product. Preferably the window configuration is selected tomaximize convention within a liquid food product.

The microwave active components are selected so as to be suitable forlamination with other materials (board, paper and polymer films) so thatthey can be easily and readily integrated into a range of standard foodpackaging formats. The metallic foil or metallic film and polymerconstruction is laminated onto a layer of, or between two layers of,suitable material(s) prior to use with or incorporation into standardfood packaging. Lamination is a well established process which involvesthe application of an adhesive layer on one surface of the two materialsto be laminated together and the bringing together of the two materialsto glue them by passing them between rollers.

In a preferred aspect of the present invention the metallic foil ormetallic film and polymer construction are laminated with board and/orpaper and/or polymer films. A polymer film may be of polyethylene orpolypropylene, preferably between 20 to 30 μm thick. More preferably,the polymer film is about 25 μm thick. Board and paper would be any feedboard, or paper with a moisture and/or fat barrier used for themanufacture of food contact packaging/containers. Alternatively, themetallic film and polymer constructions may be used with, orincorporated into, standard food packaging. Standard packaging includesthermoformed crystalline polyethylene terephthalate (CPET) orpolypropylene (PP) containers, injection moulded PP containers andpressed board trays and folded board trays.

In a preferred aspect of the present invention the metallized pattern ispositioned in relation to the product (and not the container).

Further the present invention provides alternative methods of makingpackaging for microwave heating. In one aspect the microwave activecomponents may be used in the form of stick-on microwave active labelswith standard food packaging, multi-layered board constructions formingmicrowave active trays, containers or cradles. Alternatively, themicrowave active components may be in the form of collars, sheaths,jackets or coverings to be placed around non-microwave active foodpackaging.

In particular, the present invention encompasses the use of thepackaging of the present invention as a cradle, support of receiver intowhich the food product, already contained in microwave inert packaging,can be inserted to facilitate microwave heating. The packaging iscapable of being placed around the microwave inert containers thatcontain the food product, in such a way as to house or hold it.

Further, the present invention provides a method in which the microwaveactive labels are moulded (Injection Moulded Labels) within the body ofinjection moulded polypropylene (PP) containers (containers (cups andtrays) made of PP are suitable for microwave heating only and cannotwithstand temperatures of conventional ovens). In-mould labellinginvolves the placing of a pre-formed/pre-cut label into the containermould followed by the injection of heated and molten PP into the mouldto form the containers. On cooling the label is embedded into the body(walls) of the container.

The in-mould labelling preferably involves the use of labels withmechanical, physical and/or chemical barrier functions to protect thefood product in the container. In particular, materials that prevent thepermeation of water or air can be used.

In a particular embodiment of the invention the food product is anedible substance which can include ambient stable, chilled or frozensoups, meal components (e.g. pasta sauces) or complete meals (e.g.lasagne, curry sauce and rice) and the packaging is a container/vesselcomprises the features of:

(i) shielding of the lower section of the container;

(ii) a shielded plinth on the container to create a cavity below thebase of the product to induce multiple microwave reflections;

(iii) shielding of the upper section of the product, which also extendsabove the level of the product;

(iv) window patterns in the shielding to induce heating patterns whichinduce natural convection flow in a semi-liquid or liquid product; and

(v) undulating patterns on the top edge of the shielding patterns toinduce mode stirring (in a semi-liquid or liquid product) and enhanceuniformity of (time averaged) electric field patterns on the top surfaceof the product.

The dimensions of the plinth, the height of the shielding in relation tothe product levels, and the dimensions of the windows in the shieldingare not especially limited, provided that the function of the packagingfor microwave heating is not impaired and the advantages of the presentinvention are not lost.

Attenuation of the excessive heating around the top edge of the productis preferably achieved by using a shielding band, which extends belowand above the product fill line. The height above the fill line to whichthe shielding band extends is key in determining the uniformity ofheating on the top surface. The use of undulating top line on themetallized band further enhances the uniformity of heating at the topsurface (mode stirring) and produces intermittent heating.

Attenuation of the excessive heating around the base of the product ispreferably achieved by (a) raising the base of the product (on a plinth)(b) using a shielding band, which extends above the base level of theproduct and down the full height or as close to the full height of theplinth as practicable. The cavity enclosed by the plinth below the baseof the product induces multiple reflections of the waves and enhance theuniformity of heating through the base. The height of the cavity is akey parameter in controlling the heating rates achieved at the base ofthe product.

The use of upright metallized spines has the following effects (a)further inducing mode stirring and intermittently changing the electricfield patterns around the product (b) enhancing heating in the vertical(axial) direction (c) inducing heating patterns which enhance productflow and mixing through natural convection and localized boiling.

The preferred characteristic dimensions of the metallized patterns aredefined in relation to the fill level and the base level of the productand are given in table 1.

Preferable range Typical of dimensions dimensions (mm) Top Height aboveproduct fill about 6 mm 3-12 Shielding Height below product fill about 6mm 3-12 Band Undulating edge amplitude about 6 mm 6-12 Undulating edgecycle about 24 mm 24-36  Bottom Height above product base about 6 mm3-12 Shielding Height below product base about 12 mm 6-18 Band UprightNumber 4 4-8  spines Width 12 mm 6-12

The present invention can be applied to any packaging for microwaveheating, such as packaging for soups, meals and meal components. In oneembodiment the packaging of the present invention can be used to packageambient stable foods. Ambient stable foods are defined as those whichare commercially sterile under the intended temperature conditions ofstorage. Refrigerated storage is not required. In particular, ambientstable foods are commercially sterile at temperatures above 8° C., andparticularly those that are commercially sterile at room temperature.

In another embodiment the packaging of the present invention can be usedto package chilled foods. Chilled foods are defined as those whichrequire storage and distribution at temperatures ranging between 0° C.to 8° C., preferably between 5° C. and 8° C.

In another embodiment the packaging of the present invention can be usedto package frozen foods. Frozen foods are defined as those which requirestorage and distribution at temperatures below 0° C., preferably attemperatures below −18° C.

Further, the present invention can be used to package food products thatare solid at their consumption temperature, e.g. lasagne and shepherd'spie, to package products that are liquid at their consumptiontemperature, e.g. soups and sauces, and to package food products thatare a mixture of solid and liquid components at their consumptiontemperature, e.g. pasta and sauce, protein, vegetables and sauce.

EXAMPLES

Examples of designs for the metallized pattern in the microwave activecomponent of single serve soup packing according to embodiments of thepresent invention are shown in FIG. 3 a and FIG. 3 b. These componentsare designed as part of stick-on labels which to be applied to the cupdesign illustrated in FIG. 4.

The labels are made from a composite structure comprising of aluminumfoil laminated onto paper and cut according to the design shape to formlabels which are then stuck on the containers to provide the requiredmicrowave functionality. Alternately the labels may be embedded into thewalls of the containers (in-mould labeling process) to provide therequired microwave functionality.

In the example shown in FIGS. 4 a and 4 b, the packing container includea plinth PL arranged beneath a base of the packaging.

In the example schematically shown in FIG. 6, the packaging P (shownschematically as a rectangle) is shown in cross-section to illustratehow a first microwave active component FC can be arranged on an outsideof the packaging P so that an upper portion or edge (shown to be ofindeterminate length) can extend above a fill level FL as well as belowthe fill level FL (also shown of indeterminate length). A secondmicrowave active component SC can also be arranged on an outside of thepackaging P so that an upper portion or edge (shown to be ofindeterminate length) can extend above a base level BL as well as belowthe base level BL (also shown of indeterminate length).

In the example schematically shown in FIG. 7, the packaging P (shownschematically as a circle) is shown in top view to illustrate how amicrowave active cradle C can be arranged on an outside of the packagingP In embodiments, the cradle C is re-usable.

The advantages of the present invention can be seen in FIG. 5, whichshows a snapshot of an infrared thermal image showing the heatingpattern in a single serve soup that incorporates a microwave activecomponent according to the present invention. The image shows theimproved heating pattern. Specifically, the consumer perceived benefitsare as follows:

Elimination of bumping during reheating

Reduction and in some instances elimination of sputtering of product atthe top of the container

Improved uniformity of heating

Elimination of the need to stand the product after heating and prior toconsumption

Reduction of risk of burning from handling of heated product

Reduction of risk of burning on consumption of product Exampleapplications include the re-heating of sauces and snacks (rice and sauceor pasta and sauce) in pots/cups, meals components (curry dishes,oriental dishes) or complete meal dishes (e.g. lasagne, shepherd pies,pasta and sauce dishes) in trays.

What is claimed:
 1. A packaging for facilitating microwave heatingarranged to contain a food product up to a fill level within thepackaging, which packaging comprises: a first metallic microwave activecomponent, extending above and below the fill level; said first metallicmicrowave active component having portions arranged below the fill leveland above a base level which allow for a microwave heating of the foodcontained in the packaging between the fill level and the base level. 2.A packaging for facilitating microwave heating according to claim 1wherein the first microwave active component extends at least 6 mm abovethe fill level.
 3. A packaging for facilitating microwave heatingaccording to claim 2 wherein the first microwave active componentextends between 6 mm and 18 mm above the fill level.
 4. A packaging forfacilitating microwave heating according to claim 1 wherein one or moreedges of the first microwave active component above and/or below thefill level are substantially straight.
 5. A packaging for facilitatingmicrowave heating according to claim 1 wherein one or more edges of thefirst microwave active component above and/or below the fill level areshaped.
 6. A packaging for facilitating microwave heating according toclaim 5 wherein the one or more edges of the first microwave activecomponent are undulating.
 7. A packaging for facilitating microwaveheating arranged to contain a food product up to a fill level within thepackaging, which packaging comprises: a first metallic microwave activecomponent extending above and below the fill level; and a secondmicrowave active component extending below the base level and along atleast a portion of a bottom of the packaging.
 8. A packaging formicrowave heating according to claim 7 wherein the second microwaveactive component extends from 5 mm to 25 mm along the bottom of thepackaging.
 9. A packaging for facilitating microwave heating arranged tocontain a food product up to a fill level within the packaging, whichpackaging comprises: a first metallic microwave active componentextending above and below the fill level, wherein the packaging furthercomprises: a plinth which encloses a cavity below the base level of thepackaging, and a second microwave active component in extending belowthe base level and downwards along the plinth.
 10. A packaging forfacilitating microwave heating according to claim 9 wherein the plinthis at least 6 mm high.
 11. A packaging for facilitating microwaveheating arranged to contain a food product up to a fill level within thepackaging, which packaging comprises: a first metallic microwave activecomponent, extending above and below the fill level, and a secondmetallic microwave active component, extending above and below a baselevel, wherein the first and second metallic microwave active componentsare joined to form a single component.
 12. A packaging for facilitatingmicrowave heating according to claim 11 wherein the single componentcontains a plurality of windows, the windows are defined by one or moreholes in the single component.
 13. A packaging for facilitatingmicrowave heating for a food product according to claim 12 wherein thedimensions and locations of the windows are adapted so as to be suitablefor microwave heating a liquid food product or solid food product.
 14. Apackaging according to claim 1, which is in the form of a cradle,capable of being placed around and/or holding one or more microwaveinert containers that contain the food product.
 15. A packagingaccording to claim 14, wherein the cradle is re-useable.
 16. A packagingaccording to claim 1 wherein the first metallic microwave activecomponent comprises a metal film or foil.
 17. A packaging according toclaim 16 wherein the metal film or foil is an aluminum film or foil. 18.A packaging according to claim 17 wherein the aluminum film or foil isat least 1 μm thick.
 19. A packaging according to claim 16 wherein themetal film or foil is a copper film or foil.
 20. A packaging accordingto claim 19 wherein the copper film or foil is at least 0.6 μm thick.21. A packaged food product comprising a food product packaged to alevel at or below the fill level in the packaging for facilitatingmicrowave heating as defined in claim
 1. 22. A packaged food productaccording to claim 21 wherein the food product is an ambient stable,chilled or frozen food product.
 23. A packaged food product according toclaim 22 wherein the ambient stable, chilled or frozen food is a liquidfood product at its consumption temperature.
 24. A packaged food productaccording to claim 22 wherein the ambient stable, chilled or frozen foodis a solid food product at its consumption temperature.
 25. A packagedfood product according to claim 22 wherein the ambient stable, chilledor frozen food is a mixture of solid and liquid food components at itsconsumption temperature.
 26. A method for packaging a food productcomprising the steps of: (a) filling a packaging for facilitatingmicrowave heating as defined in claim 1 with a food product; and (b)sealing the packaging to package the food product.
 27. A methodaccording to claim 26 wherein the food product is an ambient stable,chilled or frozen food product.
 28. A method according to claim 27wherein the ambient stable, chilled or frozen food product is a liquidfood product at its consumption temperature.
 29. A method according toclaim 27 wherein the ambient stable, chilled or frozen food product is asolid food product at its consumption temperature.
 30. A methodaccording to claim 27 wherein the ambient stable, chilled or frozen foodproduct is a mixture of solid and liquid food components at itsconsumption temperature.
 31. A packaging for facilitating microwaveheating of a food product, said packaging comprising: a first metallicmicrowave active component extending above and below a fill level; asecond metallic microwave active component extending above and below abase level; and at least one area arranged between the fill level andthe base level allowing a microwave heating of food contained in thepackaging between the fill level and the base level.